Once Ruby returned home, Bae set out to retrieve the fallen star he had promised her. The first obstacle would be the wall which no one—to his knowledge, at least—had ever crossed. But as crossing this wall and retrieving the star was his only way to have a chance with Ruby, Bae was determined to succeed.
And with that in mind, Bae strode across the field that separated the village and the wall.
"Rumanus Gold," the old guard called out, standing up, "not again."
"It's Bae, actually."
"Oh," the guard blinked and then narrowed his eyes, "And I suppose you planning on crossing the wall as well, do you? Well you can forget it—go home."
Bae was about to protest but frowned, "Cross the wall as well as who?"
"No one," the guard stuttered. He used his staff to block Bae's way as he firmly stated, "Nobody crosses the wall. Everybody knows that."
"Right…of course, yes I understand," Bae shrugged . "I-I guess I should just head home then."
"Right then. Night Bae, give my best to your father."
Bae nodded and began the trek back to his home. And perhaps it would have been wise to continue on that route, go home, and put off thoughts of the wall and star that lay beyond it 'til the following morning for his next move proved to be rather poorly thought out…
A quick change of direction
A running leap—
and he found himself face down in the grass shins sore where the guard's wooden staff had cracked against them. Bae winced in pain and glanced up to find that he had barely made it within a few feet of the wall; raising his gaze further, he saw the old guard smirking down at him.
"Off you go," he said with the slightest wave of his hand.
The walk home was painful though it was difficult to say whether it was from his sore shins or his bruised pride. The night seemed to get worse as his father came down just as he was attempting to sneak in and he gave up hope of avoiding the conversation that he wished could wait 'til morning
"I was wondering when you'd get in," Rumanus said. After glancing over his son and realizing that he was grimacing in pain, fatherly instincts took over, " Are you hurt? Did someone hurt you? Who was it?"
Bae blinked at the quick successions of questions, "Uhh… well you see it was…it was the guard…at the wall," he admitted, face going red in embarrassment at being bested by an old man.
Rumanus fought back a laugh, "Bae, he's 97 years old"
"Then, it's given him plenty of time to practice," Bae shot back, scowling.
The pieces slowly cam together and Rumanus narrowed his eyes. "And why, may I ask, were you trying to cross the wall?"
Bae didn't answer right away as he considered the situation; here he was having the very conversation he had been hoping could wait only to find that curiosity was overcoming his present embarrassment. Realizing that he had questions of his own, Bae fixed his father with an inquisitive stare, stating, "I might ask you the same thing."
Rumanus gaped at his son, speechless at the reply as he realized that the day had come to to finally reveal his son's origins to him.
So sorry for not updating in forever and for the short chapter. I am hoping to have another update tomorrow night *fingers crossed*
